Grearson Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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The age-old tribe of the Strathclyde Britons of the Scottish/English Borderlands were the first people to use the name Grearson. It is derived from Grier, a pet form of the given name Gregory, which means watchful.

Grearson Early Origins

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The surname Grearson was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Grearson Spelling Variations

The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years Grearson has been spelled Grierson, Greson, Greyson, Grayson, Greirson and others.

Grearson Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Grearson research. Another 223 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1411, 1547, 1590, 1564, 1657, 1733, 1677, 1760, 1709 and 1711 are included under the topic Early Grearson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grearson Early Notables (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family at this time was John Grierson or Grisson (died 1564?), a Scottish Dominican who is believed to have been from the family of Grierson of Lag in Dumfriesshire; Sir Robert...

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Grearson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Grearson In Ireland

Some of the Grearson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Grearson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Michael Grearson, aged 20, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arethusa" in 1879
John Grearson, aged 19, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Arethusa" in 1879

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Hoc securior
Motto Translation: Safer by this.

Grearson Family Crest Products

Citations

Other References

Moody David. Scottish Family History. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1994. Print. (ISBN 0806312688).
Paul, Sir James Balfour. An Ordinary of Arms Contained in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland Second Edition. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1903. Print.
Warner, Philip Warner. Famous Scottish Battles. New York: Barnes and Noble, 1996. Print. (ISBN 0-76070-004-4).
Matthews, John. Matthews' American Armoury and Blue Book. London: John Matthews, 1911. Print.
Bolton, Charles Knowles. Scotch Irish Pioneers In Ulster and America. Montana: Kessinger Publishing. Print.
Browne, James. The History of Scotland it's Highlands, Regiments and Clans 8 Volumes. Edinburgh: Francis A Niccolls & Co, 1909. Print.
Egle, William Henry. Pennsylvania Genealogies Scotch-Irish and German. Harrisburg: L.S. Hart, 1886. Print.
Scots Kith and Kin And Illustrated Map Revised 2nd Edition. Edinburgh: Clan House/Albyn. Print.
Bell, Robert. The Book of Ulster Surnames. Belfast: Blackstaff, 1988. Print. (ISBN 10-0856404160).
Fulton, Alexander. Scotland and Her Tartans: The Romantic Heritage of the Scottish Clans and Families. Godalming: Bramley, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-86283-880-0).
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The Grearson Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Grearson Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

This page was last modified on 9 February 2016 at 08:06.